Lineman&#39;s protector



Dec. 15, 1 931. G, BR|NEY 1,836,572

LINEMAN S PROTECTOR Filed March 4, 1951 2 Sheets$heet l ill 02318 gwvcntoz Percy G. B r1 ng y Dec. 15, 1931. P, G, BRWEY 1,836,572

LINEMAN S PROTECTOR Filed March 4, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIII/IIl/II/IIIIII/III/I0 'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII' IIIIIIIIIIIIIII Perry 6'. Bring.

Patented Dec. 15, 1931 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE LINEMANS Application filed March 4,

This invention relates to a linemans protector and has as its primary object the provision of a device which is adapted to be positioned to extend over an electrically conductive element for the purpose of affording protection to workmen against electrical shock while working in proximity to a charged conductor; the invention being applicable for use as a protective sheath on electrically conductive wires or cables, also on platforms and the like on which workmen are supported while working near charged conductors, and in other instances where it is desired to prevent electrical current from passing through the body of a person from any source of electric current supply where moisture is liable to close a circuit.

Another object is to provide a linemans protector which is especially adapted for use during wet weather to insure the existence of an insulating strip of dry surface between the body of the workman and an electrically conductive element.

Another object is to provide a linemans protector which is so formed that no film of moisture will connect the conductor with the film of moisture on the outside of the protector as might ordinarily be occasioned when the protector is employed in the presence of rain, mist, or snow.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for maintaining such a linemans protector in its proper position on its sup o'rt so that the insulating dry strip of surface will be presented at all times to the under side of the protector whereby during wet weather such insulating strip will be protected against becoming wet from rain, or

mist, or snow.

Another object of the invention is to provide means at the ends of such a protector or shield for preventing particles of water from splashing off the element on which the protector is supported against the insulating dry strip, when rain drops strike such element, as in a heavy downpour.

, It is also an object of the invention to prevent the dripping orflowing ofwater from the the element on which the protector is sup- 60 ported into the interior of the protector.

on the line 11-11 of Figure 9.

PROTECTOR 1931. Serial- No. 520,042.

Another object of the invention is to prevent the dripping or flowing of water from the outer surface of such protector onto the element on which it is supported, which dripping or flowing might, if allowed, act as a conductor to carry the electrical charge from an electrical conductor proper to the outer surface of the protector and thus to a linemans body contacting the protector.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention resides in the parts and in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l'is a view of the protector as seen in side elevation, partially in longitudinal section showing the invention as applied to a protective sheath for electrically conductive wires;

Figure 2 is an inverted plan view of the protector shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross section as seen on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an end view of the protector shown in Figure l on line 4-4;

Figure 5 is a perspective of a fragmentary portion of the protector shown in Figure 1, showing the underside thereof, with the sides spread apart.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the invention as applied to a platform.

Figure 7 is a view in cross section taken on the line 77 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a View in section as seen on the line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a perspective view showin a modification of the form of the invention shown in Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal section as seen on the line 1010 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a view in cross section taken Figure 12 is an inverted plan view of the end portion of the protector as shown in Figure 9.

Referring to the drawings m'ore specifically, particular reference now being had to Fig ures 1 to 5 inclusive showing the invention as applied to a protector for electrically conductive wires, A indicates generally a protective sheath which is formed of any suitable electrically non-conductive material, preferably rubber or rubber composition whereby the sheath will be rendered flexible and resilient. However, the invention may be carried into effect by forming the sheath of insulating material of any desired character adapted to serve the purpose for which the sheath is intended.

The sheath is here shown as being of general tubular form and as comprising an intermediate elongated body portion B having a cylindrical bore C of approximately uniform internal diameter throughout; and of such dimensions as to substantially conform to the electrical conductor to which it is to be applied. The body portion B terminates in outwardly flared end portions D and E. The sheath thus formed is especially adapted for use on a wire conductor at points intermediate its supports but the sheath may be built with an enlarged intermediate or midportion for accommodating insulator supports in the manner well known in the art, and yet embody the features of the present invention; or may be built with only one outwardly flared end portion especially where the conductor does not pass completely through the protector- The sheath A is formed on its under side with a longitudinally extending normally closed" slit 15 extending throughout the length thereof, which slit opens at its ends and serves to permit the sheath being spread apart along its length so that it may be positioned astride a conductor F, as shown in Figure 1, and be removed therefrom.

The margins of the slit 15 are formed with normally interengaged teeth 16 here shown as V-shaped but which may be of any other suitable outline; the teeth 16 on one margin of the slit 15 being formed to extend into the spaces between contiguous teeth on the other margin of the slit so as to form the latter of irregular contour whereby, when the protector is placed astride a conductor with the inner periphery of the sheath intimately contacting the surface of the conductor the irregular slit will serve to prevent water from flowing along the length of the under side of the conductor as herein later described.

The upper portion of the sheath is arcuate in cross section so as to afford a water shedding surface on its exterior and the outer faces of its side walls are continued downwardly in a substantially parallel relation to each other for a suitable distance and terminate in drain lips 17 and 18 from which water deposited on the exterior of the sheath will drain. Formed on the under side of the sheath between the slit 15 and the lips 17 and 18 are lips 19 and 20 which are spaced from the lips 17 and 18 by channels 21 and 22 preferably of substantially V-shaped cross section. The lower margins of the lips 17, 18, 19 and 20 terminate approximately 011 a common plane spaced below the outer face of the slitted wall portion of the sheath.

The enlarged end portions ofthe body portion of the sheath project beyond the end teeth 16 to form cavities 23 and 24 communicating with the bore C and which cavities open at the ends of the sheath and also to the under side thereof with their walls formed to extend in spaced relation to the portions of the conductor F encompassed thereby. The margins of the cavities 23 and 24 comprise end lips 25 and 26 formed in continuation of the inner marginal lips 19 and 20.

The extremities of the enlarged end portions D and E comprise lips 27 and 28 of a rcuate cross sections, the bases of which llps intersect the external face portions of the lips 25 and 26 at the bases thereof, and which lips 27 and 28 have marginal portions projecting inwardly towards the cavities 23 and 24 and terminating in inwardly spaced and 30 which are formed in continuation of the channels 21 and 22. The end portions of the sheath are thus constructed in the form of arches of tubular cross section, the outer faces of the inwardly projecting margins of which will extend in spaced relation to the conductor F on which the sheath is supported.

The upper inner peripheral portions of each of the arches formed by the inwardly projecting lips 27 and 28 are here shown in Figures 2 and 4 as formed to lead from a line medially of the arch into the depending side portions thereof to form shallow grooves 31 and 32 extending inwardly from the outer faces of the arches in the direction of the length of the sheath and disposed on a plane extending vertically through the center of the conductor located therebeneath.

Extending over the outer end portions of the grooves 31 and 32 are overhanging arched ledges 33 and 34, the uppermost portions of which project medially of the arches. The ledges form valleys which serve to deflect or direct streams or drops of water impinging thereon to either or both sides of the longitudinal centers of the ledges in" such manner as to prevent the formation of drops of water on the upper portions of the ends of the sheath directly above the conductor.

In application and operation of the form of the invention just described, the sheath is placed over the conductor F by spreading the side portions thereof to separate the inter- I side walls of the slit gravity 0 connected teeth 16 to allow the conductor F to pass through the slit 15 and be positioned within the bore C. This operation may be readily effected by initially positioning either end of the protector astride the conductor F with the latter disposed in the end cavity and then manipulating the side walls of the sheath to progressively spread the lower portion thereof and at the same time press the body portion of the sheath in such manner as to cause the teeth 16 on opposite sides of the slit 15 to ride over the conductor F into engagement on the underside thereof. The sheath being formed of flexible and resilient material readily permits this operation and on the sheath being thus placed astride the conductor the latter will be gripped by the sheath throughout the length of the bore C by reason of the inner surface of the bore intimately conforming to the circumference of the conductor under the urge of the resiliency of the walls of the bore. The sheath is thus positioned on the conductor as shown in Figure 1 with the slit 15 on the under side thereof.

By forming the sheath to grip the conductor, the frictional engagement between the sheath and the conductor will serveto maintain the sheath in position with the lips 17, 18, 19 and 20 extending downwardly and will oppose turning of the sheath relatively to the conductor and thereby minimize accidental displacement of the protector. However, the bore C is formed with its axis disposed above the lane of the longitudinal center of f the sheath so that the weight of the depending portion of the sheath will tend to normally maintain the latter in its upright position astride the conductor. 0

If the conductor is of a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the bore C, the teeth 16 on opposite sides of the slit 15 will closely conform to each other and thus completely ductor be of a diameter exceeding that of the bore G the teeth on opposite sides of the slit may then be slightlyspaced apart. In either event flow of water will be prevented from traveling along the portion of length of the conductor F on the under side thereof encompassed by the body portion of the sheath, by

reason of the end teeth 16 overlying the under side of the conductor and thereby intercepting such flow and deflecting the water downwardly from the ends of the sheath, but if in event any water should follow the irregular channel formed by the slit the bends in the will tend to break up the stream and cause the water to drip from the underside of the sheath and in which event the inner lips 19 and 20 will serve to prevent the water dripping from the under sides of the teeth from flowing into the channels 21 and 22.

In like manner the lips 17 and 18 will serve '65 to prevent water draining from the outer close the slit, but in event the cond surface of the sheath into the channels 21 and 22. The wall surfaces of the channels 21 and .12 will thus be maintained dry thereby affordthe channels 21 and 22 at the ends thereof above the conductor F so as to provide a continuous dry area extending throughout the side and end portions of the protector between the outer and inner surfaces thereof, and also to provide a means whereby water draining off the end portions of the protector will be directed downwardly to either side of the conductor so as to avoid the formation of streams leading from the external surface of the sheath to the conductor through which electrical'current might pass from the conductor to the film of water on the exterior of the sheath.

It will be apparent that Water falling on the upper, outer portion of the arcuate end lips 27 and 28 will, by reason of the ledges 33 and 34, be directed laterally so as to drain downwardly on the side portions of the arches and to pass therefrom at a point beneath the conductor F.

The arches formed by the inward curving of the outer lips 27 and 28 are constructed with a pointed top-so that if any drops of water collect on the end of the protector below the top of the ledges 33 and 34 and flow under such ledges and under such arches they will follow one of the hanging walls of such arches downwardly on the side portions of the arches and pass therefrom at a point beneath the conductor F instead of dripping from the top of such arches onto the conductor. Such dripping onto the conductor is not desirable because the elongation of the rops during such dripping materially lessens the distance which the electric current is required to jump or are across from the conductor B to the protectorsuch drops of water become for the moment, so far as acting as a conductor of electricity is concerned, a downwardly depending portion of the protectorand if such dripping water should be flowing fast enough that the drops do not separate but form a stream such stream would form a complete conductor to carry the electric current to the outer surface of the protector, and thus to the linemans body.

An important feature of the invention resides in providing the inturned margin of the lips 27 and 28 whereby water striking the conductor and being deflected towards the ends of the sheath passing into the end gaps or channels and thence reaching the side channels 21 and 22.

The end margins of the lips 17, 18, 27 and 28 are spaced such distance from the margins of the lips 19, 20, 25 and 26 contiguous will be prevented from thereto that when such margins become wet arcing of the electric current from one lip to the other through the atmosphere will be prevented and the end lips 27 and 28 are spaced from the conductor F at such distance that the electric current at the voltage being used cannot arc across from the conductor to said lips when the latter are wet and grounded.

In the form of the application of the invention shown in Figures 6, 7 and .8 of the drawings, showing the invention as applied to a protector for a platform, which in wet weather becomes an electrically conductive element; G indicates generally a protective covering which is formed of any suitable electrically non-conductive material.

The protector is here shown as of a general apron form and as comprising an elongated body portion H, of the same shape and same approximate size internally as the platform I over which it is adapted to rest. The body portion H terminates at one end in an outwardly flared end portion J. The sheath thus formed is especially adapted for use on a platform where the platform is of such length that the sheath may surround one end of the platform, the platform being supported atits other end.

In this form,-the top of the conductor or platform being flat,there is no necessity for frictional means to maintain the sheath on the conductor nor is there any need to prevent water from flowing along the underside of the conductor, so that, therefore, there is no need for interengaging teeth to grip the underside of the conductor nor for any normally closed slit, so here is shown a slit 36 on the under side of the sheath approximately the width of the platform and-open at one end only.

Since the platform is supported at only one end there is no need to carry thedry insulating channel over the platform more than once, as the dry channel may be built'around the end which is free from any supporting members; hence there is needed only one flared end portion J.

The outer faces of both the side walls of the sheath and of that end wall of the sheath at that end not having a flared end portion are continued downwardly and terminate in a single drain lip 37 from which water deposited on the exterior of the sheath will drain.

Formed on the under side of the sheath between the slit 36 and the lip 37 is an inner drain lip 38 spaced from the outer drain lip 37 by a channel 39.

In continuation of the drain lip 38 is a flared end lip 40 which extends in a general arch or inverted U-shape upward and over the platform I; the two lips 38 and 40 thus forming one continuous inner drain lip.

In continuat on of the outer drain lip 37 is an outer enddrain lip 41 enclosing theinner drain lip 40 and extending upward and over the platform I; the two lips 37 and 41 thus forming one continuous outer drain lip.

Between the outer and inner end drain lips 40 and 41 is a channel 42 being a continuation of the channel 39; and the two channels 39 and 42 forming one continuous channel.

In operation the inner and outer drain lips perform the same functions as heretofore explained in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, and the flared end portion J performs the same functions as the flared end portions shown in said Figures 1 to 4 inclusive.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 in which the protector is shown as adapted to be positioned to encompass the projecting end of a platform or the like, K indicates generally a protective sheath which is formed of any suitable non-conductive material.

The covering is here shown-as of the same general appearance as in Figures 6, 7 and 8 except that it is here shown as formed with no slit on its under side but as being closed at one end and on all sides as a bag, or sheath open at one end.

The downwardly depending drain lip 44 extends along the edge of the opening of the sheath under the platform and the flared lip 45as a continuation thereof extends outward and upward, and over the platform,the two lips 44 and 45 forming one continuous lip surrounding the platform.

The downwardly depending drain lip 46 extends along the under side of such sheath gether with such channel 47 forms one continuous channel.

In operation the lips 44 and 45 perform the same functions as the inner drain lipof the forms shown in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive and the lips 46 and 48 perform the same functions as the outer lips on the forms shown in such Figures 1 to 8 inclusive.

While I have shown and described a spec-ific embodiment of my invention I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction shown but may employ such changes and. modifications as occasion may. require coming within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 1. In a linemans protector, a flexible, electrically non-conductive tubular sheath havno i ing a serrated open-ended slit extending longitudina'lly along the under side thereof.

2. In a linemans protector a resilient electrically non-conductive tubular sheath formed with an irregular open-ended slit extending longitudinally along the under side thereof. the interior diameter of such sheath approximating the external diameter of the electrical conductor on which it is used.

3. In a linemans protector, a flexible, electrically, non-conductive, tubular sheath having an open-ended slit extending longitudinally along the under side thereof, and a series of teeth formed on each margin of said slit; the teeth on one of the margins of said slit being arranged to project into the spaces between the teeth on the other margin thereof.

4. In a linemans protector, a flexible, electrically non-conductive, tubular sheath having an open-ended slit extending longitudinally along the under side thereof, and a series of teeth formed on each margin of said slit; the teeth on one of the margins of said slit being arranged to project into the spaces between the teeth on the other margin thereof, a pair of spaced, depending lips extending on each side of said slit, and a pair of lips on each end of said sheath formed in continuation of said first named lips.

5. A linemans protector comprising an electrically non-conductive sheath having a longitudinal open-ended slit along the under side thereof, a pair of continuous downwardly depending spaced lips extending along each side of said sheath; a pair of spaced lips at each end of said sheath formed in continuation of said first named pair of lips, the outer most of said end lips being turned inwardly and terminating in spaced relation to the under side of the innermost of said end iips.

6. A linemans protector comprising an electrically non-conductive sheath having a longitudinal open-ended slit along the under side thereof, a. pair of continuous downwardly depending spaced lips extending along each side of said sheath; a pair of spaced lips at each end of said sheath formed in continuation of said first named pair of lips, the outermost of said end lips being turned inwardly and terminating in spaced relation to the under side of the innermost of said end lips, the said inwardly turned portion of the outermost lip forming an arch with an inverted V-shaped groove at its apex.

7. A linemans protector comprising an electrically non-conductive sheath having a b longitudinal open-ended slit along the under side thereof, a pair of continuous downwardly depending spaced lips extending alon each side of said sheath; a pair of spaced lips at each end of said sheath formed in continuation of said first named pair of lips, the outermost of said end lips being turned inthe underside of the innermost of said end lips; a ledge on the face of each of said outermost end lips.

8. A linemans protector comprising an electrically non-conductive sheath formed with a longitudinal open-ended slit extending along the under side thereof, a pair of spaced endless lips extending along each side of said slit depending downwardly there from and extending upwardly in arcs around the ends of said sheath, the outermost of said lips being turned inwardly at the ends of the sheath.

9. In a linemans protector, an electrically non-conductive sheath comprising a tubular body formed with an open-ended longitudinally extending slit on one side thereof, a pair of spaced lips depending from said tubular body on each side of said slit, lips at each end of said tubular body formed in continuation of the innermost of said pairs of lips, and end lips formed in continuation of the outermost of said pairs of lips having their end margins turned inwardly and terminating in spaced relation but contiguous to the margins of the innermost end lips.

10. In a linemans protector, an electrically non-conductive covering adapted to be positioned over an electrically conductive element, such covering having an arched end portion formed to extend in spaced relation to such element extending under said arch, said arched end portion being formed with an internal channel the margins of which are so spaced apart relatively to each other and to such element that drops of Water impinging on exposed areas and deflected inwardly into said arched end portion of said covering will be intercepted by the marginal portions of said channel and be prevented from entering said channel.

11. In a linemans protector, an electrically non-conductive covering adapted to be positioned over an electrically conductive element, such covering having an arched end portion formed to extend in spaced relation to such element extending under said arch, said arched end portion being formed with an internal channel the margins of which are so spaced apart relatively to each other and to such element that drops of water impinging on exposed areas and deflected inwardly into said arched end portion of said covering will be intercepted by the marginal portions of said channel and be prevented from entering said channel, the ends of said channel eing connected by a channel formed on the under side of such covering.

12. In a linemans protector, an electrically g non-conductive covering adapted to be positioned over an electrically conductive element, such covering having an arched end portion formed to extend in spaced relation to such element extending under said arch,

said arched end portion being formed with an internal channel the margins of which are so spaced apart relatively to each other and to such element that drops of Water impinging on exposed areas and deflected inwardly into said arched end portion of said covering will be intercepted by the marginal portions of said channel and be prevented from entering said channel, such channel being a portion of an endless channel interposed between such element and the outer surface of such covering.

13. In a linemans protector, an electrically non-conductive covering adapted to be positioned over an electrically conductive element, such covering having an arched end portion formed to extend in spaced relation to such element extending under said arch, said arched end portion being formed with an internal channel the margins of which are so spaced apart relatively to each other and to such element that drops of water impinging on exposed areas and deflected inwardly into said arched end portions of said covering will be intercepted by the marginal portions of said channel and be prevented from entering said channel, such channel being a portion of an endless channel interosed between such element and the outer surface of such covering; a ledge on the outer face of the arched end portion of such covering.

14. In a linemans protector, an electrically non-conductive covering adapted to be positioned over an electrically conductive element, such covering having an arched end portion formed to extend in spaced relation to such element extending under said arch, said arched end portion being formed with an internal channel the margins of which are so spaced apart relatively to each other and to such element that drops of water impinging on exposed areas and deflected inwardly into said arched end portion of said covering will be intercepted by the marginal portions of said channel and be prevented from entering said channel, such channel being a portion of an endless channel interposed between such element and the outer surface of such covering; the arch formed by the arched end portion having an inverted V-shaped groove at its apex.

PERRY G. BRINEY. 

